Is There Peace in Your World?

Daily Reading: Philippians 4

Scripture Focus: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4.6)

Devotional Thought: The Christmas season is upon us! It is a season of hustle and bustle, of parties and shopping, of cards and visits. In this busy season, it is hard to remember the words of the angel choir outside Bethlehem: "Peace on earth, good will to men!" How can we know the way of peace? In today's verse, the Apostle Paul gave us two keys to finding peace. We turn the first key by what we don't do, and the second by what we do.

1. Do not...

· Be anxious. The word literally means to be pulled in opposite directions, divided into parts, or go to pieces. We prevent anxiety when we fix our loyalties on one Kingdom. Jesus told us not to be anxious, rather to, "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6.33).

2. Do...

· Pray - talk to God about the things that bother you. We often go to every other source before we go to God!

· Ask - indicating a heart-felt request arising out of personal need. "You have not because you ask not" (James 4.2).

· Thank - be grateful and confident that God's grace is working out what is good. "In all things God is working for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8.28).

· Request - If we make demands, we in essence make ourselves God. Then, our source of peace is in us alone. That won't work!

If we will turn those keys, we will know: "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, [and it] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4.7).

Prayer: "Guide our feet into the way of peace," O Lord. When life's troubles mount, help me to seek your Kingdom alone, and to pray and leave it in your hands. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 132.11-12

11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath

from which he will not turn back:

“One of the sons of your body

I will set on your throne.

12 If your sons keep my covenant

and my testimonies that I shall teach them,

their sons also forever

shall sit on your throne.”